Voting is underway in 708 union parishads across the country in the fifth phase of elections to the lowest tier of the local government.
It will continue from 8am to 4pm at 7,137 polling stations on Wednesday.
A total of 36,457 candidates are in the election race for chairman and member posts of 708 UPs under 95 upazilas in 48 districts. Of them, 3,278 are chairman contenders for 708 posts, according to the Election Commission’s factsheet.
However, 48 chairman contestants have already been declared elected unopposed, finding no rivals against their respective posts.
Besides, 33 candidates for reserved seats and 112 for member posts have been elected uncontested in different UPs.
In the 708 UPs, the total number of voters is 14.2 million under 7,137 polling stations. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being used in 40 UPs and traditional ballot papers in the remaining ones.
The Election Commission on November 27 last year announced the fifth phase schedule for 707 UPs of 47 districts.
Later, another UP was incorporated in this phase.
The deadline for submission of nomination papers was December 7, the date for scrutinizing nomination papers was December 9 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature was December 15.